Didn’t the earth once echo with the vibrant life of Windhoek’s Old Location? Here at the Old Location Cemetery, we stand on hallowed ground. This is a place where stories lie buried. It’s a place where the echoes of a tumultuous past resonate. The Old Location Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of Windhoek’s complex history.
This cemetery wasn’t always a final resting place. Once, it was an extension of the Gammams Cemetery. Gammams Cemetery had been in use since 1904. By 1924, space was scarce. So, the Windhoek Municipality commissioned this site. It was directly opposite the Gammams Cemetery.
This extension became known as the Old Location Cemetery. It bordered the reserve for black residents. This reserve existed under the shadow of apartheid rule. Segregation shaped life and even death. In 1926, the cemetery itself became racially segregated. This division mirrored the deep inequalities of the time.
The Old Location Cemetery operated from 1927 to 1960. It became a silent witness to forced removals. The Old Location, or Main Location, was home to black Windhoek residents. In the 1950s, the municipality planned to move them. They were to be relocated 8 kilometers north. This new location became known as Katutura. Katutura means “The place where we do not want to live.”
Residents resisted the move. They owned their land in Old Location. In Katutura, the municipality owned everything. Plots were smaller. Gardens were forbidden. Residents now had to pay rent. They needed bus fare to reach work. Old Location was within walking distance.
Tensions reached a boiling point on December 10, 1959. Protests erupted. The police opened fire. Eleven people died. Forty-four were wounded. This became known as the Old Location Uprising. Doctors allegedly refused treatment. They told victims to seek help from the United Nations. Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, confirmed this account.
The Old Location Uprising became a rallying cry. It fueled the fight for Namibian independence. This pivotal event led to the formation of SWAPO. The uprising forced leaders into exile. December 10 is now Human Rights Day in Namibia.
Among the graves lies a mass grave. It holds those killed in the 1959 uprising. In August 2004, the mass grave was declared a national monument. The Old Location Cemetery itself was provisionally proclaimed a national monument in 1987. However, it failed to be listed. The provisional proclamation expired after five years.
The Old Location Cemetery reached capacity. The City of Windhoek approved its closure. Burials were limited. Only second burials were allowed in existing deep graves. These graves had to be dug eight feet deep or 2.4 meters. Reserved graves could also be used. One rule applied. Those buried had to be born in or before 1959. This rule did not apply to second burials. Second burials were reserved for family members only.
In January 1995, the City of Windhoek sought to reopen the cemetery. This was due to high demand. The community wanted to bury relatives here. Given its historical significance, the ministry approved the expansion. This extended the cemetery’s lifespan.
Since the 1995 extension, 725 burials took place. Over 40 community members reserved graves. They paid fees to secure plots next to loved ones. Today, the Old Location Cemetery stands as a museum. It is a testament to resistance and resilience.
As you reflect on the stories etched into this land, remember the human cost of injustice. Consider the enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom. The Old Location Cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is a powerful symbol of Namibia’s journey to independence.